The Reds were scheduled to play a game in Cape Town on May 21, just 48 hours after their final Premier League fixture at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Brendan Rodgers’ men had been set to face Ajax Cape Town but Premier Soccer League chiefs in South Africa said no international friendlies were permitted during their domestic season.

It had been hoped that Liverpool could find alternative opposition if Ajax were to be barred from playing but the trip has now been called off.

A club statement read: “Liverpool Football Club recently accepted an invitation from the City of Cape Town to play a fixture against Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday, May 21.

“This post-season fixture represented an opportunity for the club to visit supporters in South Africa for the first time in 19 years. Regrettably, the South Africa Premier Soccer League has decided that this match cannot now be played on this date and have subsequently advised Ajax Cape Town that this fixture should be cancelled.

“We are hugely disappointed that we are unable to visit and the team cannot play in front of our terrific supporters.

“Moreover, we are saddened that we cannot at this time undertake the community and grassroots activities we had planned as part of our visit to South Africa.”